EXPOSURE - Ilford Photo

December 2001

FACT SHEET

MULTIGRADE IV
RC
PREMIUM QUALITY, VARIABLE CONTRAST, BLACK AND WHITE PAPER
ON A CHOICE OF RESIN COATED BASES

ILFORD MULTIGRADE IV RC DeLuxe and ILFORD EXPOSURE
MULTIGRADE IV RC Portfolio are premium quality
variable contrast papers. MULTIGRADE IV RC is designed for use with all
enlargers.

MULTIGRADE IV RC has a bright base tint. Safelight recommendations
The image colour remains cool-to-neutral whether MULTIGRADE IV RC can be used with most
viewed in daylight or fluorescent light. common safelights for black and white papers. The
ILFORD safelights are especially recommended as
MULTIGRADE IV RC is part of the ILFORD they generally allow darkrooms to be brighter, but
MULTIGRADE system and is fully compatible with completely safe, for MULTIGRADE IV RC and many
all existing MULTIGRADE filters and equipment. It black and white papers.
is equally suitable for printing from conventional
negatives and from XP2 SUPER negatives. ILFORD safelights are the ILFORD SL1 darkroom
safelight or the ILFORD 902 (light brown) safelight
MULTIGRADE IV RC DE LUXE filter fitted in a darkroom lamp (for example, the
MULTIGRADE IV RC DeLuxe has the standard ILFORD DL10 or DL20). A 15W bulb is
weight (190g/m2) resin coated base. It is recommended with these safelights.
available in three surfaces: 1M glossy, 25M satin
and 44M pearl. For direct lighting, do not expose the paper to the
safelight for more than 4 minutes, and the distance
MULTIGRADE IV RC PORTFOLIO between the paper and the safelight should be a
MULTIGRADE IV RC Portfolio has a double weight minimum of 1.2m/4ft.
(250g/m2) resin coated base. It is available in
two surfaces: 1K glossy and 44K pearl. Other filters can be used, for example, the Kodak
OC and the Agfa-Gevaert G7, or the Philips
PF710 safelamp.

Spectral sensitivity
MULTIGRADE IV RC was tested unfiltered to
produce the following curves at density 0.5, 1.0
and 1.5.

Equal energy

0.5 Relative log sensitivity

1.0 3.0

1.5

2.0

1.0

400 450 500 550
Wavelength (nm)

Page 1 of 4

MULTIGRADE IV RC

Contrast range Latent image stability
No significant change in picture quality will be
Seven full grades of contrast, in half grade steps, seen when MULTIGRADE IV RC is left for a period
are available on MULTIGRADE IV RC paper when of 24 hours after exposure and before processing.
used with the ILFORD MULTIGRADE Contrast control
speed-matched filters. Contrast is controlled by using MULTIGRADE hand
filters, the new MULTIGRADE 600 equipment,
The chart gives the ISO range figures (ISO other MULTIGRADE equipment, variable contrast
standard 6846 – 1992) for MULTIGRADE IV RC. enlarger heads or colour enlarger heads.
These figures give a guide to selecting the The twelve MULTIGRADE filters are numbered
appropriate grade of paper for a given effective 00–5 in 1/2 steps, with the lowest filter number
negative density range. corresponding to the softest contrast. The exposure
time for filters 00–31/2 is the same; that for filters
MULTIGRADE IV RC unfiltered has an ISO range 4–5 is double.
of R110. The ILFORD MULTIGRADE 600 professional
exposing system replaces the standard lamphouse
ISO range on the most popular professional enlargers.
Characteristic curves
MULTIGRADE IV RC paper and
MULTIGRADE filters Relative log exposure

Filter 00 0 1 2 3 4 5 Relative log exposure

Range (R) 180 160 130 110 90 60 40 MULTIGRADE IV RC glossy or pearl paper
exposed through filters 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The above values are representative of those Developer: MULTIGRADE diluted 1+9.
obtained when dish/tray or machine processing Development: 1 minute at 20ºC/68ºF.
the paper to ILFORD recommendations.

ISO range figures may be helpful to printers who Density
have some means of measuring the effective
density range of the image as projected on the
enlarger baseboard – such as with a photometer.
As an example, for a negative with an effective
density range of 1.32 log exposure units, multiply
this figure by 100 and choose the nearest ISO
range figure from the table – in this case 130. Try
printing this negative with MULTIGRADE filter 1 on
MULTIGRADE IV RC paper.

ISO speed

The speed of MULTIGRADE IV RC depends on the
filtration used during exposure. MULTIGRADE IV
RC unfiltered, has a paper speed of ISO P500.

ISO paper speed

MULTIGRADE IV RC paper and Density
MULTIGRADE filters

Filter 00 0 1 2 3 4 5

Speed (P) 200 –––––––––-––––– 200 100 100

The above values are representative of those
obtained when dish/tray or machine processing
the paper to ILFORD recommendations.

Exposing light sources
MULTIGRADE IV RC is designed for use with most
enlargers and printers, that is, those fitted with
either a tungsten or tungsten halogen light source.
It is also suitable for use with cold cathode (cold
light) light sources designed for variable contrast
papers. Other cold cathode (cold light) and pulsed
xenon light sources may give a reduced contrast
range.

Page 2 of 4

MULTIGRADE IV RC

DISH/TRAY PROCESSING Stop bath
See the ‘Processing summary’ for stop bath
MULTIGRADE IV RC is processed in the same way recommendations.
as other resin coated papers.
The use of a stop bath is strongly recommended.
Note Photographic chemicals are not hazardous A stop bath stops development immediately,
when used correctly. Always follow the health and reduces the risk of staining and will extend the life
safety recommendations on the packaging. of the fixer bath.
Photochemicals material safety data sheets
containing full details for the safe handling, Fixation
disposal and transportation of ILFORD chemicals See the ‘Processing summary’ for fixing
are available from ILFORD. recommendations.

Processing summary (intermittent agitation) The use of a hardening fixer is not recommended
as it reduces washing efficiency. ILFORD RAPID
ILFORD Dilution ºC/ºF Time FIXER and HYPAM are non-hardening fixers.
chemical (min:sec)
There is no benefit in extending fixation beyond
Development the recommended time; some loss of print quality
might be seen when long fixing times are given
MULTIGRADE 1+9 20/68 1:00 due to image etching.
1:30
or 2:00 Washing
2:00 See the ‘Processing summary’ for washing
MULTIGRADE 1+14 20/68 0:10 recommendations.
0:10
or 0:30 When it is important to obtain a print in the
0:30 shortest possible time, vigorously wash
BROMOPHEN 1+3 20/68 MULTIGRADE IV RC paper for 30 seconds in
running water.
or
Prolonged immersion in water can cause edge
PQ UNIVERSAL 1+9 20/68 penetration and print curl with resin coated
papers: for this reason, avoid wet times longer
Stop bath than 15 minutes.

ILFOSTOP 1+19 18–24/64–75 Drying
A final rinse in ILFORD ILFOTOL, diluted 1+200
or with water, will aid even and rapid drying.

ILFOSTOP PRO 1+19 18–24/64–75 Optimum quality results will be obtained with the
ILFORD series of dryers, for example, the ILFOLAB
Fixation 1250RC.

ILFORD RAPID 1+4 18–24/64–75 When a dryer for resin coated papers is not
available, remove surplus water from the prints
FIXER or and leave them to dry. At room temperature, prints
will dry in 10–20 minutes.
HYPAM 1+4 18–24/64–75
Note MULTIGRADE IV RC paper, as with other
Washing resin coated papers, should not be glazed/
Fresh, running water – Above 5/41 2:00 ferrotyped or dried on a drum or flatbed glazer,
as this can cause the polyethylene in the paper to
Development stick to the glazing surface.
See the ‘Processing summary’ for development
recommendations.

On correctly exposed prints with MULTIGRADE
developer 1+9, the image will begin to appear
after 10 seconds. The minimum recommended
development time for high quality prints is 45
seconds; after this time there is a more gradual
image build-up. Overexposed prints developed for
a minimum of 35 seconds are acceptable for
those applications where the highest quality is not
required.

To give greater control during development, and
for economy, the 1+14 dilution of MULTIGRADE
developer can be used.

MULTIGRADE IV RC paper can also be processed
in other high quality dish/tray developers.

Page 3 of 4

MULTIGRADE IV RC Washing times
Wash for at least 15 seconds at temperatures
MACHINE PROCESSING above 5ºC/41ºF. Set the water flow so as to fill
MULTIGRADE IV RC paper can be processed in all the wash tank in 4 minutes or less.
conventional machines for black and white resin
coated papers. It is not suitable, however, for Hot air drying
activation type processing. Use temperatures up to 85ºC/185ºF.

ILFORD processors FINISHING
ILFORD 2000RT developer/replenisher and MULTIGRADE IV RC responds in the same way as
fixer/replenisher are recommended for use with all other resin coated papers to the usual techniques
ILFORD black & white processors. of toning, chemical reduction and retouching. It
can be mounted using the standard techniques for
For the ILFOLAB 2150RC table-top processor resin coated papers.
ILFORD 2150XL developer and fixer kits are
recommended. STORAGE
Unprocessed paper
Other processors Store unused MULTIGRADE IV RC paper in a cool,
This section is a guide to setting up processors for dry place in its original packaging. Avoid
ILFORD resin coated papers using ILFORD 2000RT conditions of high temperature and/or high
developer/replenisher and fixer/replenisher. These humidity. MULTIGRADE IV RC will keep in excellent
are diluted 1+4 to make tank or replenisher condition for up to two years when stored as
solution. These suggestions are only a guide, and recommended.
the processing cycle should be checked in the
processor. For further guidance, contact your local Prints
ILFORD company or distributor. MULTIGRADE IV RC prints which have been
processed as recommended in this leaflet will have
Suggested development times a more than adequate storage life for most
The preferred temperature range is 20–30ºC/ purposes. Print life will be shortened, however, in
68–86ºF. adverse storage conditions, or if the print is
exposed to oxidising gases.
Temperature Development time (sec)
(ºC/ºF) including transfer time to next tank It is recommended that prints made for display are
toned to protect them from the oxidising gases that
20/68 46 are found in many environments. Selenium toner is
25/77 32 recommended as it has little effect on the image
30/86 22 colour of MULTIGRADE IV RC, but other protection
35/95 15 methods can be used including sulphide toning,
40/104 12 silver image stabilisers and laminating. ILFORD
ILFOGUARD laminating and encapsulating films
These times are for non-replenished systems, with a are recommended.
maximum solution life of seven days. They are also
for replenished systems with a solution life of up to A wide range of fact sheets is available which describe and
three months. The suggested developer give guidance on using ILFORD products. Some products in
replenishment rate is 150–250ml/m2 this fact sheet might not be available in your country.
(14–23ml/ft2) paper processed.

Suggested fixing times
The same times and temperatures as for
development can be used for fixing. The actual
fixing time, however, is shorter, and 20 seconds is
ample above 20ºC/68ºF. These recommendations
are suitable for both replenished and
non-replenished systems. In non-replenished
systems, the maximum paper throughput is 4m2/l
(44ft2/US quart) of working strength solution. The
suggested fixer replenishment rate for replenished
systems is 300–450ml/m2 (28–41ml/ft2) of paper
processed. The maximum silver concentration in
the fixer bath is 4–6g/l.

Note If fixing is not complete, then adequate
washing is impossible.

ILFORD Imaging UK Limited, Town Lane, Mobberley,
Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 7JL, England
www.ilford.com

Page 4 of 4 96060.GB.www December 2001